§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government has made to the Russian Government about renewal of the OSCE's mandate in Chechnya; and if he will make a statement. [93135]
§ Mr. Straw[holding answer 28 January 2003]: I discussed the issue with the Russian Foreign Minister on 27 December 2002, and sought an extension to the 879W OSCE Assistance Group's existing mandate to allow further negotiations about the future of the mission's presence in Chechnya.
§ Mr. Menzies Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to ensure that human rights monitors from the OSCE remain in Chechnya; and if he will make a statement. [93136]
§ Mr. Straw[holding answer 28 January 2003]: With our EU and international partners, we have repeatedly pressed the Russian Government to agree a new mandate for the OSCE Assistance Group in Chechnya, which includes the monitoring of the human rights and humanitarian situation as one of its key responsibilities.